Abstract: An automatic locking brake shoe device for a double sash window is disclosed which is slidably disposed in the guide channel of the window jamb liner. The brake shoe device interconnects with an associated sash through a laterally projecting sash pin. The automatic locking brake shoe device comprises first and second brake shoe members that are pivotally connected for relative pivotal movement. The first member is connected to the window balance mechanism, and the second member includes a locking member that engages the jamb liner when it is rotated to the locking position. A small spring disposed between the first and second members normally urges the second member into the locking position when the sash is removed. The sash pin engages the second member when the sash is in its sliding position causing the small spring to yield and to attract the second member from the locking position.

Abstract: A coiled ribbon spring comprising a coiled ribbon spring body and, at a free end thereof, a tongue portion having first engagement means for operative connection to an object to be tensioned, said tongue having at a location between said first engagement means and the coiled ribbon spring body, second engagement means co-operable with first engagement means provided on another coiled ribbon spring. Also an assembly of such springs disposed one above the other working in concert e.g. in pairs.

Abstract: A support device (10) for a hinged panel (12) mounted on a vehicle (14), the panel (12) being angularly displaceable between an opened position (16) and a closed position (20). The support device (10) comprises an elongate connecting member (22) pivotally connected to the panel (12) and an associated rotatable helical mating surface (24). A support arm (26) is pivotally connected to the vehicle (14). The support arm (26), including its own helical mating surface (28) is adapted to telescopingly receive the helical mating surface (24) of the elongate connecting member (22). A multi-coil torsional spring (30) may exert a torque between the respective helical mating surfaces (24, 28) when they are in contiguous relationship. As an operator swings the panel (12) open, the support device (10) extends, and the torsional spring (30) stores potential energy.

Abstract: A spring balance for counteracting the weight of heavy window sashes includes both a torsion spring and a tension spring. The two springs are separated by a rigid tube. One end of each spring is connected to an end of the rigid tube. A spiral member engages a follower carried by the other end of the torsion spring and includes a stop along its length for engaging an anchor carried by the other end of the tension spring. The spiral member can be attached by conventional means to a shoe or other connection to the window sash.

Abstract: An apparatus for offsetting a constant force over a range of movement, includes a power spring or clock spring, defined by a length of resilient material wound in a spiral, the opposite ends of which are attached relative to one of the force and a fixed point, and to a pulley. The pulley is substantially coaxial with the spring and has a rounded outer contour defining a progressively varying slope proceeding axially along the pulley. A flexible cord wraps around the pulley and leads to the other of the force and the fixed point. The opposite (inner and outer) ends of the spring can be mounted such that the inner end of the spring is fixed relative to the fixed point and the outer end of the spring is attached to the pulley. The constant force can be the weight of a window sash, movable vertically in a frame.

Abstract: A pre-assembled, spring loaded, block and tackle window sash balance assembly is adapted for providing vertical support for a window sash running in an elongated, generally upright sash run having a generally C-shaped guide channel extending along its plow region. The assembly comprises a generally U-shaped housing for a block and tackle spring balance device. The assembly further includes spaced slide means which are discrete from the housing itself and which are slidably interengageable with the guide channel for removeably attaching the assembly to the sash run. Accordingly, the block and tackle balance assembly may be pre-assembled and then conveniently and efficiently attached to the sash run and supported in a position to provide spring balanced support for a window sash mounted in the sash run.

Abstract: A self-contained heavy duty constant force sliding sash counterbalance assembly embodying a stacked plurality of coil springs each having a uniform coiling and recoiling force throughout all of the various coils irrespective of the individual coil spring positions of extension or contraction, wherein the counterbalance assembly structure is provided with an elongated U-shaped housing adapted to adjustably accommodate the addition or removal of individual spring elements as necessary in order to achieve the proper counterbalance effect for the weight of the particular sash to be supported so that over the raising and lowering range of that sash to which the counterbalance assembly is affixed, and at all adjustably set sash opening elevations and corresponding coil spring positions of extension and contraction therebetween, there is a substantially constantly uniform counterbalance force effect exerted on the sash.

Abstract: A compound counterbalance system for window sashes and the like, comprising: a biasing spring for easing operation of a window sash and the like, the biasing spring being movable at an inherently variable rate of force; a first biasing force transmission having a fixed rate of movement transmission part connected to the biasing spring and a variable rate of movement transmission part connected to the window sash and the like, the variable rate of movement transmission part having a variable rate of operation predetermined to automatically compensate for the variability of the biasing spring to provide substantial constancy of the biasing force throughout an operating range; and, a cable for interconnecting the biasing spring, the first biasing force transmission, and the window sash and the like, whereby loading forces on the first biasing force transmission are substantially constant throughout the operating range.

Abstract: A supporting bracket including a track member, a slide, a stop member, a sash arm, a short link, a strut and a brace. The track member has a pair of folded side flanges along the length thereof with at least one of the folded side flanges which is subject to face toward a window sash being discontinuous at a central part thereof to define a cutout part; and a boss provided with a pivot pin having a central groove and a C-ring. The slide is movable along the track member and has a length substantially equal to the length of the cutout part. The stop member is secured to the track member and has a button shape with a central groove and a flattened portion. The stop member is turnable to a position with its rounded portion facing the slide to keep the slide within the side flanges and is turnable to a position with its flatten portion facing the slide such that the slide is releasable from the track member at the cutout part.

Abstract: A system of anchoring a window balance spring (16) in a channel (20) includes an arched anchor plate (10) connectable to spring (16) and having edge projections (15) that fit between the side walls (21) of the channel. When these and the bottom (22) of the channel are supported by a tool (30), anchor plate (10) is stamped flat against the channel bottom to spread edge projections (15) apart and drive them into the channel side walls (21) for a deformation interlock that holds the anchor and the spring reliably in place within the channel.

Abstract: A block and tackle window sash balance system 10 has its friction made adjustable by a friction spring 20 and a cam 30 arranged for pressing spring 20 against a radial face of a pulley 15 in a high friction position and moving the spring clear of the pulley in a low friction position. Cam 30 is preferably accessible with a screwdriver for adjusting friction after the balance is installed in a window.

Abstract: This invention relates to a balance assembly for windows in which a gas pressurized piston and cylinder device with pulley wheels at each end acts as a balance element for the windows.